The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1887-03-30
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER

Washington March 25 1887.
The composition of the Inter
State Commerce Commission has
been the chief subject Of comment
here for the past few days. For
the most part it seems to give sat
isfaction. and some are even en-
thusiastic in its praise. OncDromi-
nent citizens Of Washington re-
marked that the character Of the
men composing the board was am
pie compensation for the delay in
their appointments.
Now ana then You hear Il Rcpub-
lican object to the appointment of
Judge Cooley as n Of the repre-
scntativcs of his party, saying that
he has not been i'm accord with the
Republican party for some years,
but as Il rule his selection is highly
commended by leading men of both
sides. The Democrats would have
been gIatifcd if eN-Rcpresentative
MOrrison's name had headed the
list for the longest term of Office,
six years, and Judge Cooley been
given the second place. But, at
the White House, the explanation
vi mo "'o lllil VIC JltlSc Ilstl
made such a sacrifice to accept a
place on the commission that it
was the least the President could
do to name him first. 1t is said he
sacrificed $4,000 per anum as re
cciver for the $500 salary Of com
missioner.
In politics the commission, as was
to be expected, is divided between
democrat majority and Il republi-
cab minority. The representative
character of each Of the democrat
ic members, Mcssrs. Morrison,
Shoemaker and Bragg, will Dass
without question. MI. ShoOnmak-
or is said to be the personal selec-
ton Of the President. He was n
trusted friend Of the late Governor
Tildcn and has long had the conf
dence OF Mr.. Cleveland. Mr.. Wal
ker of Vermont has the partisan
endorsement of Senator Edmunds,
and Judge Cooley, if questioned,
would prOnOucc himself Il Republi-
car.
The list Of names reveals n con
scicntious effort to secure the most
competent, qualified and able men
who could be obtained for the sala-
ries. In each case there is some
thing to give the man peculiar
claim to he distinction. Messrs
Cooley, Walker and Bragg have
been prominently identified with
the subject Of governmental rcla-
ton to the railroad. Mr.. Bragg, as
president of the Alabama Railroad
Commission, and Mr.. Walker, as a
member Of the Vermont Senate,
have had experience in the forma-
ton and execution of legislation
affecting the railroads, and Judge
Cooley is perhaps the most eminent
authority in the United States on
subject Of Constitutional law anec-
ing Interstate commerce.
MIR. Morrison is qualified by his
long experience as a lawmaker,
his thorough study of commercial
questions and his universally re-
cognized integrity and earnestness.
Mr.. Shoemaker special fitness for
the appointment lies i'm his familia-
rity with the laws and commerce
of New York, and his relations TO
Governor Tilden as q co-opcrator i'm
his reform measures.
This law is a vast problem. Ev
cry feature gifts operations is more
or less uncertain. and whatever is
done adverse critisism and vigorous
opposition may be expected. I'm
der the circumstances the President
could scarcely have followed bet
tet rules of selection. In CHOOSING
the COmmisainnayo an +bo La
merit, he has relieved himself of
responsibility to q greater degree
than he could have done by appoint
ments based more upon political
and personal considerations.